If you have a soft spot for buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats, then this Soft Butter Cookies Recipe is going to become your new go-to. These cookies deliver the perfect balance of a tender, delicate crumb and a rich, creamy flavor that feels like a cozy hug in every bite. With a simple mix of classic ingredients and an easy piping technique, you’ll have a batch of stunning, soft butter cookies that elevate your homemade cookie game to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Soft Butter Cookies Recipe depends on a handful of straightforward, everyday ingredients that come together to create something incredibly special. Each element plays a crucial role—from the rich unsalted butter providing the foundation for softness, to the splash of milk that ensures the dough’s perfect creamy texture.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: The star ingredient that gives these cookies their signature soft and buttery texture.
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough just right, creating a subtle caramelized edge during baking.
- 2 egg yolks: Adds richness and helps bind the dough without making it cakey.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses the cookies with warm, sweet aroma that makes them irresistible.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The structure builder, giving the cookies shape without sacrificing tenderness.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons milk, plus more if needed: Adds moisture and helps achieve a dough that’s easy to pipe.
- Fruit jam or melted chocolate (optional): Great for decorating or adding a pop of flavor at the center of each cookie.
How to Make Soft Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper. This makes sure your cookies bake evenly without sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this is key to giving your cookies that soft texture and beautiful crumb.
Step 3: Mix in Egg Yolks and Vanilla
Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract to your creamed butter and sugar. Mix until everything is fully combined and smooth. This enriches the dough and layers in that familiar, comforting flavor.
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
Slowly fold in the flour and salt, mixing on low speed to avoid overworking the dough. When the ingredients come together into large crumbles, you’re ready for the next step.
Step 5: Add Milk for Creamy Dough
Pour in the milk and mix gently until the dough resembles a thick buttercream—soft, pliable, and just sticky enough for easy piping. If it feels too firm, add a little more milk, a teaspoon at a time.
Step 6: Pipe the Cookies
Transfer your silky dough into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip. Pipe rosettes or any shape you like onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between to allow gentle spreading.
Step 7: Chill If Needed
If your dough is too soft to hold shapes well, pop the baking sheet into the fridge for a few minutes to firm up the cookies before baking.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until the edges just begin to turn a light golden color. This ensures the cookies remain soft inside with a delicate, crisp edge.
Step 9: Cool Completely
Allow the cookies to cool fully on the baking sheet before removing or decorating. This helps them set perfectly without breaking apart.
How to Serve Soft Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Top your soft butter cookies with a dollop of fruit jam or a drizzle of melted chocolate for a decorative, tasty touch that makes each bite delightful. You can also sprinkle some finely chopped nuts or a pinch of coarse sea salt for added texture and flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
Soft Butter Cookies shine next to a warm cup of tea or coffee, balancing beautifully with their creamy, tender crumb. Serve alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn snack time into a mini celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gifts, arrange your cookies on a beautiful platter with edible flowers or colorful sprinkles. Try sandwiching two cookies with flavored buttercream or jam for irresistible afternoon treats that everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your soft butter cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay deliciously soft for up to 4 days—perfect for enjoying a cookie or two throughout the week.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked dough by piping the shapes onto a baking sheet and freezing until firm, then transferring them to a sealed freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to baking time. Baked cookies freeze well, too—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or until slightly soft again. This little trick brings back the just-baked softness and enhances their buttery flavor.
FAQs
Why are my butter cookies not soft?
If your butter cookies are turning out hard, it might be due to overbaking or using cold butter. This Soft Butter Cookies Recipe calls for softened butter and baking just until edges are lightly golden to keep them tender.
Can I use salted butter for this recipe?
Using salted butter will add more salt to the cookies, so you might want to skip or reduce the added salt in the dough to avoid overpowering the sweetness.
What can I use instead of milk if I have a dairy intolerance?
You can substitute milk with almond milk, oat milk, or any other plant-based milk. Just keep the same amount to maintain the dough’s consistency.
Is it necessary to pipe the dough?
Piping is recommended because it gives the Soft Butter Cookies Recipe that classic rosette shape and delicate texture, but you can also shape the dough with a spoon or scooper if needed.
How long do these cookies last?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these soft butter cookies stay fresh for about 4 days at room temperature. To enjoy them longer, freezing is a great option.
Final Thoughts
This Soft Butter Cookies Recipe is a total winner if you crave that perfect soft, buttery cookie that feels homemade yet special. Easy to make and wonderfully versatile, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles and maybe a few happy crumbs. Go ahead, whip up a batch today and share the love!
Print
Soft Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Soft Butter Cookies are tender, buttery treats ideal for any occasion. With a delicate texture resembling thick buttercream, these cookies are piped into elegant rosettes and can be adorned with fruit jam or melted chocolate for an extra touch of sweetness.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons milk, plus more if needed
Optional Toppings
- Fruit jam or melted chocolate, for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Mix in the egg yolks and vanilla extract until the ingredients are fully combined, creating a smooth batter base.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: On low speed, add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing just until large crumbs form, ensuring the dough is crumbly but not overworked.
- Add Milk and Mix to Dough: Pour in the milk and continue mixing until the dough turns sticky and resembles thick buttercream; add a little more milk if necessary to reach the right consistency.
- Prepare for Piping: Transfer the sticky dough into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip for shaping the cookies.
- Pipe Cookies: Pipe rosette shapes onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart to allow gentle spreading.
- Chill if Needed: If the dough feels too soft to hold shape, chill the piped cookies in the refrigerator briefly before baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through but still soft inside.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or adding optional decorations like fruit jam or melted chocolate.
Notes
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted to achieve proper creaming.
- If the dough is too stiff to pipe, add a teaspoon of milk at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Use fresh egg yolks for best texture and richness.
- Cookies can be decorated with jam or melted chocolate once cooled to add flavor and visual appeal.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
